The crime took place before shooting began last year on the magician comedy The Incredible Burt Wonderstone. Carrey was contemplating his edgy street magician character, Steve Gray, before a camera test when he noticed the long blond wig meant for Wilde, who plays an assistant to the title character (Steve Carell).

"Jim picked it up, put it on, and got an idea," Wilde says. "Steve Gray was born. It gave him this Christ-like air. It was a metamorphosis that I assume happens to most actors behind closed doors.

Carrey's character loves taking magic to extremes, from holding his urine for 12 days to sleeping on hot coals. Carrey himself has a penchant for absurdity — see 1994's Ace Ventura: Pet Detective — that is immeasurable on a normal 1-to-10 scale.

"I think Jim starts at 11 and he takes it up to a 28," Wilde says. "He has the whole Spinal Tap amp thing going."

Carell, who produces and stars in the title role, says he suggested Carrey for the role as a lark. To his surprise, the actor came onboard and had the crew in hysterics, doing improv in his scenes.

"It's amazing how fertile his mind is," Carrell says. "it's hard to not just be an audience member when you're watching him work."

Carrey (who was not available for an interview) agreed to go shirtless for the hot-coal stunt scene, but he asked director Don Scardino to delay it so he could get in better shape. Scardino was dubious but agreed to move the shoot.

Carrey worked out every day with trainer Paul Vincent and ate nothing at cast meals but "some nasty green slop," Scardino says. "When he came back to do the shoot six weeks later, he had this incredible six-pack. He totally transformed his body."

Carrey might be off the strict food and exercise regimen, but he is still lean, mean and looking for more comedy.

"He told me that making the movie made him appreciate how much he loves comedy, and he wants to get back to it," Scardino says. "He never really left, but he's been trying other things. I think after this we'll see more comedy from him."

Jim Carrey talks career, comedy and Wonderstone

Jim Carrey reveals the high stakes of making it as a comedian in the film industry and why roles like the fame-crazed illusionist he portrays in 'The Incredible Burt Wonderstone' push his buttons creatively. (March 12)
AP